Online \'red-light district\' proposal revived

E-Brief News reports that the implications of such a move are enormous. The plan has drawn considerable controversy: conservative groups campaigning against the domain over concerns that it would legitimise pornography; while advocates of the plan claim that it would make it easier for Web users to avoid porn. The original plans for the adult domain were killed off last May when Icann chair Vint Cerf, vice-chair Alejandro Pisanty and President Paul Twomey voted. According to a Vnunet.com report, under the new plan, ICM Registry, which is backing the .xxx scheme, has undertaken to provide a ratings system for pornographic Web sites. ICM Registry will inspect sites to make sure that there is nothing illegal being published, and ensure that child protection groups are fully consulted. It will fund this with a $10 charge for each domain. The Globe and Mail notes that the use of the proposed \'.xxx\' domain name would remain voluntary, but any porn sites that choose to use it instead of the more popular \'.com\' would be subject to the new terms issued by Icann. The new proposal does not directly address any potential conflicts in laws, but it calls for ICM Registry to hire independent organisations to monitor the porn sites\' compliance with the new rules. Yahoo News reports that ICM believes the domain would help the $12bn online porn industry clean up its act, as those using it must abide by rules designed to bar activities like spamming and malicious scripts. Anti-porn advocates, however, countered that sites would be free to keep their current ‘.com’ address, in effect making porn more easily accessible by creating yet another channel to house it. Many porn sites also objected, fearing that an ‘.xxx’ domain would pave the way for governments or even private industry to filter speech that is protected in the US by the First Amendment. Full Vnunet report Full report in The Globe and Mail Full Yahoo News report

Staying with domain matters, the rulebook used in most disputes over .uk domain names is out of date. That\'s according to Nominet, the .uk domain name registry. Its suggestions for revision include the introduction of a financial deterrent against cybersquatting. Out-Law.com reports that a person wishing to complain about another party\'s ownership of a domain name has a choice between suing in court and following Nominet\'s Dispute Resolution Service (DRS). Nominet\'s DRS is a more popular forum that follows its own rulebook, the DRS Policy & Procedure. In a .uk domain name dispute, a form can be completed at Nominet\'s site to make a complaint. Full Out-Law.com report